Chapter Seventy-Eight: Zhang Jiao's Fear

For Xu Kang, his main purpose in coming to Changshe was to earn military merit. Although he had previously repelled the Yellow Turbans, Zhang Jiao had escaped, so he had only completed half of his task. According to the original plan, once Lu Zhi broke through Guangzong and executed Zhang Jiao, their mission would be deemed a great success, and everyone would be rewarded with promotions and wealth.

However, a meddling eunuch threw everything into chaos: Lu Zhi was arrested and taken back to the capital in chains, and Huangfu Song was also dismissed, making matters far more complicated. Fortunately, Dong Zhuo and Zhang Wen lacked the necessary skill—when the opportunity was handed to them, they failed to seize it and instead suffered heavy losses. This forced Emperor Ling of Han to reinstate Huangfu Song.

This was the news Xu Kang had been waiting for, and upon hearing it, he was naturally elated and immediately prepared his troops to set out. But Zhu Yi advised him to wait, reasoning that Zhang Jiao had already recovered; otherwise, he could not have defeated Dong Zhuo and Zhang Wen. It would be safer to wait until Huangfu Song arrived with the main force and then launch a joint attack.

But Xu Kang was unwilling. He knew that if he waited for Huangfu Song, by the time they arrived, Zhang Jiao might already be dead from illness, just as recorded in history. If he only helped clean up the remnants of the Yellow Turbans in Guangzong, his credit would be severely diminished.

So he absolutely could not wait!

On the very day the messenger arrived, he led his troops north toward Guangzong to attack Zhang Jiao. To ensure his soldiers' strength and energy, he spared no expense—distributing magical bread during the day and enchanted fresh water at night—so that his men were always at full strength, marching day and night. In ten days, they reached the outskirts of Guangzong.

They had barely arrived when scouts who had gone ahead came galloping back at breakneck speed.

"Report!"

The scout shouted as he rode up to Xu Kang, dismounted, and knelt on one knee.

"General, a large Yellow Turban force—over a hundred thousand strong—has been spotted ahead. They are pursuing and besieging a group of government troops flying the banner of 'Dong'!"

"'Dong's banner?'" Xu Kang arched an eyebrow. "That must be Dong Zhuo. Good, scout again!"

"Yes, sir!" The scout responded and immediately remounted, riding off to reconnoiter further.

As the scout's figure disappeared into the distance, Zhao Hong hurried to Xu Kang's side and asked, "My lord, aren't we going to rescue them?"

"Rescue whom?" Xu Kang shot him a glare. "Dong Zhuo is only here to steal our credit. He's not on our side—if you save him, he'll only turn around and claim all the merit for himself!"

"What?" Zhao Hong exploded with anger at these words, gripping his spear tightly. "Outrageous! I'll take some men and kill him in the chaos!"

He was about to lead his men off to kill Dong Zhuo but was stopped by Zhang Cheng, who grabbed him by the arm.

"Brother, don't be rash. Dong Zhuo is still an imperial officer. If you kill him, it would be considered rebellion. Calm yourself—our lord knows what he's doing!"

Zhao Hong hesitated, furrowing his brow in frustration, then looked back at Xu Kang.

Xu Kang merely said one word: "Wait."

He gave no further explanation, and Zhao Hong dared not press him, so he kept silent and waited.

About an hour later, the scout who had gone ahead returned and reported to Xu Kang.

"General, a band of local militia without banners has broken through and is helping the government troops escape the encirclement. The Yellow Turbans are pursuing them!"

Xu Kang closed his eyes and exhaled deeply. "Perhaps this is destiny. I understand. You may withdraw."

The scout acknowledged the order and retreated.

After a few moments, Xu Kang opened his eyes and delivered his commands in a low, steady voice.

"Niu Sheng, take five hundred heavy cavalry and a thousand horsemen, break through the center, focus on cutting down banners, killing the enemy as needed, and split their formation!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Zhao Hong, lead a thousand cavalry and three thousand Huai River infantry to attack Zhang Jiao's left flank—destroy all resistance!"

"Understood!"

"Zhang Cheng, take a thousand cavalry and three thousand Huai River infantry to attack Zhang Jiao's right flank—destroy all resistance!"

"At your command!"

With each of Xu Kang's orders, his massive force divided into three units, and under the leadership of Zhao Hong, Zhang Cheng, and Niu Sheng, they hurried toward the battlefield.

Xu Kang himself did not follow them but instead led his artillery corps on a separate route, circling around to intercept the Yellow Turban Army's retreat to Guangzong.

He was there to cut off their escape.

Previously, when he and Lu Zhi had pursued Zhang Jiao, they failed to sever his retreat, allowing him to escape back into Guangzong and close the gates.

This time, he had learned his lesson. Before the battle was decided, he moved to block Zhang Jiao’s retreat.

He was confident he would not lose—after so many encounters with Zhang Jiao, he had earned that much faith in himself.

The only regret was that he could not personally pursue Zhang Jiao.

"I hope he escapes back alive," Xu Kang mused, "because if possible, I'd rather capture him alive. It's far more meritorious to present a living captive than a corpse..."

As Xu Kang thought this, on the other side, Zhang Jiao—busy chasing Dong Zhuo—suddenly felt a chilling premonition of disaster.

But when he saw Dong Zhuo about to escape, he put all other thoughts aside, spurred his horse forward, drew his bow, and loosed an arrow.

With a sharp sound, the arrow found its mark on Dong Zhuo. Though it missed any vital point, it made Dong Zhuo stagger and nearly fall from his horse.

Elated, Zhang Jiao rushed forward, intent on finishing Dong Zhuo, but was intercepted by a black-faced man wielding a long spear.

As the two clashed, a thunderous roar of hooves shook the air.

Looking up, Zhang Jiao saw a great black-and-white banner emblazoned with a wild boar flapping in the wind.

At this sight, memories of past defeats flooded his mind, and his face turned ashen.

"Damn it, retreat at once!"

He tried to signal the retreat, but the black-faced spearman dogged him relentlessly, leaving no opportunity. By the time he broke free, it was too late—the enemy was already charging.

The heavy cavalry thundered forward like an immense beast of iron, crashing into the ranks of the Yellow Turbans, threatening to grind all flesh and bone to dust.

"Victory or death! Unyielding in assault! To fail is to die!"

With the leader's booming shout, the armored cavalry bellowed in unison.

"Lok'tar ogar!"

"Lok'tar ogar!"

"Lok'tar ogar..."

At their cry, both Zhang Jiao and his Yellow Turban followers blanched with terror.

Once more, the memory of being crushed by heavy cavalry—of fear and humiliation, just two months before—rose in their hearts.

So it was in the age of the great scholars of the Three Kingdoms.